Welcome to the official Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Australia – IOGKF Australian website, on this site you will find all of the information you need about training for Goju Ryu Karate and where you can train around Australia.

Our mission is to promote and teach traditional International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate, in accordance with the teachings of founder, Chojun Miyagi under the instruction of Sensei Nakamura Sensei and Sensei Morio Higaonna. International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate (IOGKF Australian) Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Canberra, Sydney, Tweed Heads and Mackay. Training with IOGKF Australia means you’ll be apart of a combine class of Karate all directly involved with IOGKF Okinawa Japan (www.iogkf.com). If you are looking for a place to practice Karate in Australia, then look no further.

The name ‘Goju’ has more implications than merely hard/soft. It was derived from the context of the third of the eight poems that described the martial arts in the book Bubishi: ho(wa) go ju donto(su) – ‘the way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness’ or ‘inhaling represents softness while exhaling characterises hardness’. Another explanation can be found in the words nai go gai ju, which, directly translated, means: ‘firm within, frail without’. The physical implications are obvious when our techniques are witnessed- soft-looking movements that have devastating effects when executed correctly. The mental implications are that of an outer appearance and manners of a complete gentleman or lady, while inside a strong tenacious, endeavouring, ‘never give up’ fighting spirit is fostered.

We strive to

Improve our own character

Act unselfishly Refrain from violent and uncontrolled behaviour

Develop a spirit of endeavour and perseverance

Seek the true ways of life or living through hard training and sacrificing of self-interests (egotistical behaviour)